Fall 2015

“In their rush to secure a diplomatic ‘solution’ to the Iranian regime’s long-running nuclear program,” Ilan Berman notes in his essay on cyber oppression, “Western nations did not mention the worrying decline of freedom of information within the Islamic Republic. Rather, the topic—along with the parallel issue of Iranian human rights abuses—was ignored.” And not only in Iran. The Obama administration’s foreign policy has routinely downgraded human rights. In his first inaugural address, the president made what seemed a sensible offer to human rights abusers: to “extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.” But in the transition from rhetoric to policy, the president has offered a handshake to leaders of countries, such as Iran and Cuba, whose fists remain clenched around the freedoms of their people. ... Read More